Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling, an all-female Japanese federation, has been in operation since 1992. Oz Academy has been in business since 1998. Lucha Libre Femenil has been serving up women's wrestling since 2000. There also many successful women's wrestling promotions all over the world including such countries as Canada, The United Kingdom, Mexico and Japan.

So why has the WWE been so late to the party in recognizing and putting together a strong and progressively promoted stable of female wrestlers? While we may never get to the heart of that question, it is nice to see something like the Mae Young Classic in the WWE spotlight even though it wasn't heavily promoted on Raw last night.

With four episodes available on the WWE Network, the first round is complete and there were many highs and many lows.

Stars such as Jazzy Gabert, Abbey Laith, Rhea Ripley, Mia Yim (Jade in Impact Wrestling), Sarah Logan, Toni Storm, Candice Lerae, Nicole Savoy, Renee Michelle and Kairi Sane proved they certainly have what it takes to be in the WWE and how they could improve the women's divisions across the board giving them more depth and more personality. Stars we have seen before in WWE like Tessa Blanchard and Santana Garrett should already be signed and Sarah Logan's match against Mia Yim, one of the best of the entire tournament, is why Logan should be pushed more than she already is.

On the other hand, the Mae Young Classic has also been populated with talent who are not ready for prime time. Zeda, Rachel Evers, Kavita Devi, Sage Beckett and Taynara Conti clearly need a lot more training, education before they will be able to carry a decent match. Their inclusion in the tournament brought down the quality of many of the matches and the tournament itself.

What has also hindered things was Lita's commentary. While she may be one of the most skilled and respected wrestlers in the squared circle, she is a jobber on the microphone. Based on her appearances on various WWE kick-off shows, you would think management would have realized she cannot carry a broadcast. Since not much of known about the various competitors, much of the commentary is filled with transparent, generic comments that really don't do much to draw you in but then again with some of the matches they had to call and the talent involved, you cannot blame Lita or J.R. for reaching for things to say to enhance the in-ring action.

Off to a shaky start, the mixed quality of the Mae Young classic might improve now that some of the more inexperienced talent are out of the picture.

Mae Young Classic: Episode 1: Highlights

Kay Lee Ray (Scotland) vs. Princesa Sugehit (Mexico)

Sugehit's lucha style against the hard-core, in-your-face style of Ray provides for an intriguing bout.

Winner: Princesa Sugehit. Match Rating: 7 / 10

Vanessa Borne (USA) vs. Serena Deeb (USA)

The story here is Deeb's WWE return after portraying Serena as part of C.M. Punk's Straight Edge Society. Although Vanessa Borne is more looks than ability, Serena carries her to a decent match.

Winner: Serena Deeb. Match Rating: 6 / 10

Zeda (China) vs. Shayna Baszler (USA)

Winner: Shayna Baszler. Match Rating: 3 / 10

Jazzy Gabert (Germany) vs. Abbey Laith (USA)

Jazzy Gabert crushes Abbey Laith. Photo Courtesy of:
WWE Network.

Jazzy is just an incredible monster, dwarfing Nia Jax while Abbey Laith is a hard-nosed, scrapper. Both should already be signed with the WWE.

Winner: Abbey Laith. Match Rating: 7 / 10

Mae Young Classic: Episode 2: Highlights

Xia Li (China) vs. Mercedes Martinez (USA)

Winner: Mercedes Martinez. Match Rating: 2 / 10

Rachel Evers (USA) vs. Marti Belle (Dominican Republic)

Winner: Rachel Evers. Match Rating: 2 / 10

Rhea Ripley (Australia) vs. Miranda Salinas (USA)

Although Salinas makes for a great foe with her pit-bull like intensity, Ripley really shines in this match and is another great prospect for the WWE if they want to really invest more in women's wrestling.

Winner: Rhea Ripley. Match Rating: 7 / 10

Sarah Logan (USA) vs. Mia Yim (South Korea)

The match of the tournament thus far. Logan shows she is far more talented than we have seen in NXT thus far. She is another future star that needs to be pushed in a big way, if her persona is tweaked a bit and Mia Yim remains as one of the most talented female wrestlers in the world today. It is stunning that the WWE hasn't signed her to main roster. She has always been that good. Hasn't the WWE seen her feud with Rosemary in Impact Wrestling? This is an outstanding match in every way.

Winner: Mia Yim. Match Rating: 7.5 / 10

Mae Young Classic: Episode 3: Highlights

Ayesha Raymond (England) vs. Toni Storm (Australia)

Toni Storm taunts Ayesha Raymond. Photo Courtesy of:
WWE Network.

Storm has all the charisma to be another A.J. Lee character of sorts, that oddball, kinda skater girl deal with sprinklings of Shawn Michaels thrown in for good measure. She has a lot of potential and Ayesha seems as solid as they come.

Winner: Toni Storm. Match Rating: 7 / 10

Dakota Kai (New Zealand) vs. Kavita Devi (India)

Winner: Dakota Kai. Match Rating: 3 / 10

Sage Beckett (USA) vs. Bianca Belair (USA)

Winner: Bianca Belair. Match Rating: 4 / 10

Santana Garrett (USA) vs. Piper Niven (Scotland)

Santana's agility versus Niven's brute strength. You would think the WWE would capitalize on the Wonder Woman craze with Santana.

Winner: Piper Niven. Match Rating: 7 / 10

Mae Young Classic: Episode 4: Highlights

Renee Michelle (USA) vs. Candice LeRae (USA)

LeRae (the wife of NXT star Johnny Gargano) could very well be the best foe for Alexa Bliss in that she is the complete opposite of her persona without treading into sappy Bayley territory. Renee Michelle is fantastic as well. Why aren't they both in a WWE ring on a full-time basis?

Winner: Candice LeRae. Match Rating: 7 / 10

Taynara Conti (Brazil) vs. Lacey Evans (USA)

I still don't understand Evans' gimmick. Why is she is pin-up girl if she was a tough as nails Marine? She shows more here than she has on NXT but she has a ways to go.

Winner: Lacey Evans. Match Rating: 7 / 10

Nicole Savoy (USA) vs. Reina González (USA)

Winner: Nicole Savoy. Match Rating: 3 / 10

Kairi Sane (Japan) vs. Tessa Blanchard (USA)

The best match of the tournament. It is NXT or main roster worthy and so are both competitors. It is ridiculous that they were put in a match together when both deserved to move on and showcase their respective talents.